Day: April 27, 2012

A very special devotee of Lord Krishna named Tulasi Devi has appeared in the form of plant so that we can get the special mercy of personally serving and worshipping her for attaining pure love of God. Therefore tulasi worship is a standard part of our daily morning devotional program. After rising early no later than 4am, attending mangala arati, and singing prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva the devotees then worship this most sacred of all plants. Tulasi is so special that Krishna will not accept any offering of foodstuffs unless it is accompanied by a tulasi leaf.

The tulasi plant is of the topmost importance in the ultimate self realization process of devotional service and is thus described in the Skanda Purana as follows: “Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the tulasi tree, which can immediately vanquish volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree one can become relieved from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances to and pouring water on the tulasi tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja [the King of death, who punishes the sinful]. If someone sows a tulasi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krishna. And when the tulasi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krishna, there is the full development of love of Godhead.”

One can sow a tulasi plant at home and worship her at home.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

“We should always be very grateful to Krishna for giving us the Hare Krishna mantra, and we should show our gratitude by chanting it as much as possible. That way we will bond with Him, which is our heart’s greatest desire.

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If Chidambaram figures in your itinerary, it is because you want tovisit its Shiva temple! For Chidambaram is a small town, barely 5 sqkm in area with nothing to recommend it except the temple. But what atemple! This famous shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, knownas Nataraja, Lord of Dance when he performs the tandava, the cosmicdance of destruction.

The architecture of the temple, the exquisite beauty of its iconmakes it the highlight of the temple circuit. Shiva is the thirdmember of the divine trinity that includes Brahma the Creator andVishnu the Preserver – and upon Lord Shiva is enjoined the task ofApocalypse. An enraged Shiva unleashes total destruction when heperforms the Roudra Tandava, the devastating dance of death that notmerely destroys but sets the scene for the creation of a new universe.

Natraja Temple

The temple at Chidambaram is exceptional in more ways than one – itis the only temple where Shiva is enshrined as Nataraja, the Lord ofDance and where Shiva and Vishnu share sacred space. It also has thecachet of being one of the five holiest shrines for Saivites, devoteesof Shiva. Another feature unique to Chidambaram’s Nataraja temple isit is open to people of all races and religions. Nataraja- the icon:“Siva’s cosmic dance…magnificent bronze sculptures of dancingfigures with four arms whose superbly balanced and yet dynamicgestures express the rhythm and unity of life.”- Fritjof Capra, TheTao of Physics.

The three eyes of the god represent the sun, moon and fire. The deityhas four arms, in the rear right hand, he holds a drum (damaru) thesymbol of sound and creation as from it emanates the sounds that gavebirth to music. The palm of the front right hand is raised in agesture of protection and blessing. The rear left hand holds a pot offire signifying destruction while the other points downwards to theleft foot raised in a dance pose. The hand is the source of divinegrace and bliss while the raised foot represents salvation. The rightfoot firmly represses Mauyalka, embodiment of human cruelty andignorance, victory over whom leads to salvation. Surrounding thefigure of the dancing god is an aureole of flames, representingwisdom, truth and the vital forces of creation sustained by the cosmicenergy generated by the divine dancer. And so, the dance becomes ametaphor of life, wherein are balanced good and evil, creation anddestruction.

Nobody is still quite certain when and how the temple came to be –but it does date back to the early decades of the Christian era and isan amalgam of architectural styles typical of the region. Spreadacross 40 acres defined by a gopuram on each side, the ancientNataraja temple sits square in the middle of Chidambaram. Itsbrilliant gold plated roof beckons both religious and secular visitorswho flock to see the resident deity, the magnificent image of Natarajafrozen in a moment of sheer lyrical grace. The exquisite image ofShiva lost in the rapture of dance is breathtaking in its beauty andleaves an indelible impression on all those fortunate enough to seeit.

The Nataraja Temple has five halls, Kanaka Sabha, Chit Sabha, NrittaSabha, Deva Sabha and Raja Sabha. Shiva Nataraja and his consortParvati Sivakami preside over the garba-griham or the sanctumsanctorum in the Kanaka Sabha while the sanctum of the Chit Sabhahouses the Akasalingam (Lingam of Space). Interestingly, there is noimage or representation of Shiva because here the god is worshipped inhis all-encompassing `formless’ state.

The Hall of Dance, the Nritta Sabha is the most outstanding of allthe halls – designed like a horse drawn chariot; it has 56 pillarsportraying 108 poses of Bharatnatyam, the classical dance formassociated with Shiva and with Tamil Nadu. Festivals were organised inthe Deva Sabha, the hall of the gods. The thousand pillared pavilion,the Rajya Sabha was the venue for victory celebrations andthanksgiving ceremonies during the reigns of the Pandya and Choladynasties.

A short walk from the Nataraja Temple is the Thillai Kaliammantemple, dedicated to the Goddess Kali. The Kaliamman temple was builtsometime between 1229 AD and 1278 AD by the Chola King Kopperunjingan.

The Natyanjali Dance Festival is held on the temple grounds inFebruary with performances by eminent dancers. The 5 day long festivalis held during the Mahashivratri celebrations in February, andattracts the finest classical dancers who perform in the `prakararam’in the temple grounds.

You can spend a few hours, a few days or a few years at Chidambaram –all depends on how much Nataraja captivates you!

Best time to visitThe climate here is tropical and the best time to visit this place isin the winter months any time between September and February.

Leaves of the bilva or bel tree, (Indian wood apple, Aegle marmilos)are always offered to Shiva in a tradition begun by Lord Vishnuhimself. Legend tells us that once, when Vishnu ran out of offeringswhile worshipping Shiva, the goddess Lakshmi came to his rescue andusing the powers of her austerity created the Bel tree, the leaves ofwhich were then used by Vishnu to complete his pooja.

TimingThe Nataraja Temple is opened from 6:00am to 1:00am and 4.00pm to9:00pm. The Kali Temple is opened from 7:00am to 12 Noon and then6:00am to 9:00pm.

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If Chidambaram figures in your itinerary, it is because you want tovisit its Shiva temple! For Chidambaram is a small town, barely 5 sqkm in area with nothing to recommend it except the temple. But what atemple! This famous shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, knownas Nataraja, Lord of Dance when he performs the tandava, the cosmicdance of destruction.

The architecture of the temple, the exquisite beauty of its iconmakes it the highlight of the temple circuit. Shiva is the thirdmember of the divine trinity that includes Brahma the Creator andVishnu the Preserver – and upon Lord Shiva is enjoined the task ofApocalypse. An enraged Shiva unleashes total destruction when heperforms the Roudra Tandava, the devastating dance of death that notmerely destroys but sets the scene for the creation of a new universe.

Natraja Temple

The temple at Chidambaram is exceptional in more ways than one – itis the only temple where Shiva is enshrined as Nataraja, the Lord ofDance and where Shiva and Vishnu share sacred space. It also has thecachet of being one of the five holiest shrines for Saivites, devoteesof Shiva. Another feature unique to Chidambaram’s Nataraja temple isit is open to people of all races and religions. Nataraja- the icon:“Siva’s cosmic dance…magnificent bronze sculptures of dancingfigures with four arms whose superbly balanced and yet dynamicgestures express the rhythm and unity of life.”- Fritjof Capra, TheTao of Physics.

The three eyes of the god represent the sun, moon and fire. The deityhas four arms, in the rear right hand, he holds a drum (damaru) thesymbol of sound and creation as from it emanates the sounds that gavebirth to music. The palm of the front right hand is raised in agesture of protection and blessing. The rear left hand holds a pot offire signifying destruction while the other points downwards to theleft foot raised in a dance pose. The hand is the source of divinegrace and bliss while the raised foot represents salvation. The rightfoot firmly represses Mauyalka, embodiment of human cruelty andignorance, victory over whom leads to salvation. Surrounding thefigure of the dancing god is an aureole of flames, representingwisdom, truth and the vital forces of creation sustained by the cosmicenergy generated by the divine dancer. And so, the dance becomes ametaphor of life, wherein are balanced good and evil, creation anddestruction.

Nobody is still quite certain when and how the temple came to be –but it does date back to the early decades of the Christian era and isan amalgam of architectural styles typical of the region. Spreadacross 40 acres defined by a gopuram on each side, the ancientNataraja temple sits square in the middle of Chidambaram. Itsbrilliant gold plated roof beckons both religious and secular visitorswho flock to see the resident deity, the magnificent image of Natarajafrozen in a moment of sheer lyrical grace. The exquisite image ofShiva lost in the rapture of dance is breathtaking in its beauty andleaves an indelible impression on all those fortunate enough to seeit.

The Nataraja Temple has five halls, Kanaka Sabha, Chit Sabha, NrittaSabha, Deva Sabha and Raja Sabha. Shiva Nataraja and his consortParvati Sivakami preside over the garba-griham or the sanctumsanctorum in the Kanaka Sabha while the sanctum of the Chit Sabhahouses the Akasalingam (Lingam of Space). Interestingly, there is noimage or representation of Shiva because here the god is worshipped inhis all-encompassing `formless’ state.

The Hall of Dance, the Nritta Sabha is the most outstanding of allthe halls – designed like a horse drawn chariot; it has 56 pillarsportraying 108 poses of Bharatnatyam, the classical dance formassociated with Shiva and with Tamil Nadu. Festivals were organised inthe Deva Sabha, the hall of the gods. The thousand pillared pavilion,the Rajya Sabha was the venue for victory celebrations andthanksgiving ceremonies during the reigns of the Pandya and Choladynasties.

A short walk from the Nataraja Temple is the Thillai Kaliammantemple, dedicated to the Goddess Kali. The Kaliamman temple was builtsometime between 1229 AD and 1278 AD by the Chola King Kopperunjingan.

The Natyanjali Dance Festival is held on the temple grounds inFebruary with performances by eminent dancers. The 5 day long festivalis held during the Mahashivratri celebrations in February, andattracts the finest classical dancers who perform in the `prakararam’in the temple grounds.

You can spend a few hours, a few days or a few years at Chidambaram –all depends on how much Nataraja captivates you!

Best time to visitThe climate here is tropical and the best time to visit this place isin the winter months any time between September and February.

Leaves of the bilva or bel tree, (Indian wood apple, Aegle marmilos)are always offered to Shiva in a tradition begun by Lord Vishnuhimself. Legend tells us that once, when Vishnu ran out of offeringswhile worshipping Shiva, the goddess Lakshmi came to his rescue andusing the powers of her austerity created the Bel tree, the leaves ofwhich were then used by Vishnu to complete his pooja.

TimingThe Nataraja Temple is opened from 6:00am to 1:00am and 4.00pm to9:00pm. The Kali Temple is opened from 7:00am to 12 Noon and then6:00am to 9:00pm.

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Features of ‘Prem Mandir’ temple in Vrindavan in UP

For those who don’t know, let me tell you that, Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj is the founder of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Prem Mandir. ‘Prem Mandir’ completion took almost all 11 years. Many people might ask question like what is ‘Prem Mandir’ made of? The answer would be that ‘Prem Mandir’ is made of white Italian marble. Here you can see 84 scenes of Radha Krishn leelas which are carved into the temple’s outer walls. Satsang Bhawan will be opened by 16th Febuary 2012. Kripalu Trayodashi, which is the overview of philosophy of Hindu dharm in only 13 verses, composed by Kripaluji Maharaj, can be seen next to the shrine. Historical Saints and the Jagadgurus of India are also displayed here.

How to reach Prem Mnadir in Vrindavan in Uttar Pradseh

Prem Mandir is situated on the outskirts of Vrindaban in Braj District of UP on a 50-acre site. The surrounding area of Prem Mandir is being developed as a place of pilgrimage for visitors from around the world. After completion, one can find a fully charitable hospital, a 10,000-seat satsang bhavan (hall), dining and living facilities etc. Philosophical books and other devotional material can be found out at shops. A museum will also be made which will show India’s antiquity and the history of the creation of the brahmand.

Highlights of Prem Mnadir and satsang bhawan in Vrindavan, UP

Some of the highlights of Prem Mnadir and satsang bhawan which is located in Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh are as follows